'When I was...'

Odd as it might seem, this works surprisingly well:

I used to be a passable dancer, you know. I did. I remember an Essex girl - an actress famed for the quality of her movement and all the other things for which Essex girls are considered notable - saying 'You're a bit of a mover yourself, aren't you Jeff?'

What a compliment. How did I get from there to here? I don't think I want to know.